Not just for tourists? See inside new ‘local friendly’ SLO County hotel

For many visitors, The Ava Hotel is where a stay in downtown Paso Robles begins.

Increasingly, it’s also becoming a destination of its own for local residents meeting over breakfast, lingering through dinner or gathering on the rooftop long after sunset.

Nearly a year after opening on the former Hayward Lumber property, the boutique hotel has settled into a rhythm that extends well beyond overnight accommodations. Guests move easily from the lobby to Pine Street Bistro, from dinner at EMRÉ to drinks at Esperanza on the rooftop, while locals have begun making the property part of their own routines.

“A hotel without anyone in it is a building,” general manager Matt Kleefisch said. “Once we add staff it is a business, once we open our doors we become a hotel that will be open for the next 20-plus years, 24/7, 365, and that our team will influence and leave its mark on the hospitality landscape of Paso Robles current and future.”

That philosophy has shaped the way the property functions day to day.

“The hotel recently won a Hilton New Build Design award,” Kleefisch said. “Seeing guests working in Pine Street Bistro with coffee in the morning, then relax with a glass of wine by the lobby fireplace or enjoy the pool and margaritas on the rooftop, is exciting to watch.”

Rather than centering the experience around a single restaurant or lounge, The Ava Hotel encourages guests to move throughout the property, with each venue offering its own atmosphere, menu and pace.

“It reminds me of one of the great public houses where you can flow from space to space or mix it up,” Kleefisch said. “One day you may want to sit down and eat Mediterranean and open a bottle of wine to share, but prefer to meet up first at Esperanza for a margarita. Each outlet has specific food, drinks, service and vibe allowing you to flow from space to space in one evening or mix up venues depending on desire.”

Kleefisch said watching guests naturally embrace those spaces has been one of the hotel’s biggest rewards during the first year.

Pine Street Bistro

Pine Street Bistro anchors the property’s everyday rhythm.

From the first cups of coffee in the morning to evening cocktails, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed setting that feels equally welcoming to hotel guests and Paso Robles residents.

Morning favorites include French toast, breakfast burritos and farmers market scrambles before the menu transitions later in the day to salads, sandwiches and cocktails.

Kleefisch said the morning café has developed a loyal local following, with guests taking advantage of complimentary Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor seating and the fireplace while working remotely or meeting friends.

EMRÉ

If Pine Street Bistro is the hotel’s neighborhood gathering place, EMRÉ is its culinary centerpiece.

Developed by consultant Chef Julien Asseo and led day to day by Executive Chef Casey McMinn, the Eastern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant revolves around live-fire cooking and dishes meant to be shared.

House-made hummus and pita, Greek souvlakis, wood-fired seafood and seasonal ingredients encourage diners to slow down, order together and let conversation linger as long as the meal itself.

“I believe (EMRÉ) is still finding its footing,” Kleefisch said.

While the restaurant has become a popular destination for celebrations, Kleefisch hopes more people discover it for everyday occasions, “even for a drink and share an appetizer.”

Among the menu’s most popular offerings are the hummus and pita, Greek souvlakis from the wood-fired grill and an interactive chef’s table experience.

The hotel also recently earned recognition from Wine Spectator, with onsite sommelier Vincent McGranahan helping guests pair wines with their meals.

Esperanza on the Rooftop

Esperanza on the Rooftop offers a different experience. The rooftop venue invites guests to settle into lounge seating overlooking downtown Paso Robles. Afternoons offer a quieter retreat, while evenings bring live music on select nights, conversation around the fire features and a steady flow of guests enjoying cocktails, shared plates and sunset views.

The menu reflects that relaxed atmosphere, pairing rooftop burgers, tacos and flatbreads with margaritas, craft cocktails and a growing selection of zero-proof beverages for guests who prefer an alcohol-free option without missing out on the social experience.

“We knew it would be popular, however it has exceeded expectations,” Kleefisch said.

He credits its “golden hour vibes, lounge style atmosphere and reasonably priced food and drinks” with making Esperanza the property’s strongest draw for local residents.

Seasonal menu updates, rooftop programming and live music continue to encourage repeat visits throughout the year.

Part of downtown

From the beginning, Kleefisch said, the hotel was never intended to serve only overnight guests.

“No developer would design a hotel with 151 guest rooms and three outlets without planning from day one that locals would want to be part of the hospitality here,” he said. “Not only local friendly, but go out of our way to ensure everyone who walks through our doors is welcome.”

He describes many of The Ava Hotel’s guests as explorers — people who arrive with favorite wineries already in mind but look to hotel staff for recommendations that lead them to new restaurants, shops and experiences throughout Paso Robles.

For residents who have never stepped inside because they assumed the property was primarily for hotel guests, Kleefisch hopes they’ll think differently.

“We are innkeepers at heart,” he said. “I like the intimate history of an inn, a place to rest when travelling, a roof over your head, a friendly smile, or simply a great meal and drinks to share with friends. We would ask they give us the opportunity to be a place to rest, relax, dine, wine and enjoy.”